The Pen Store

Sandra and Joe at Staples, in the pen aisle.

SANDRA
So I need a pen. I need to get a pen. What kind of pen should I get?

(looking at all the pens.)
SANDRA JOE (together)
WOW.
(Sandra looks at Joe. They had the same thought!)

JOE
There are so many pens. How about the retractable? You could go for a retractable pen.

SANDRA
I could. They are great.

JOE
But what about smudging? I’ve heard there can be some smudging with those.

SANDRA
Oh. Well I don’t mind smudging once in awhile…. Smudging is not such a bad thing.
See, there’s a comfort grip.

JOE
If you like that kind of thing.

SANDRA
And then, the other question is: black or blue? Sometimes I want to write in blue all the time. But then I switch to writing in all black. But just one or the other though. Never mixing.

JOE
I like to write in red sometimes.

SANDRA
Oh I use red to mark mistakes. (Thinks for a moment.) Do you use red a lot? I mean, do you look for mistakes a lot?

JOE
Sometimes I just write in red and use black for marking mistakes.

SANDRA
I see.

JOE
I would get two then. Have one as a backup.

SANDRA
But can’t there be just one pen that’s good for you? Just the ultimate pen? That you can go to for everything.

JOE
Or there’s the package of Bics. Can’t go wrong w/ so many choices.

SANDRA
But I don't need so many. I'm happy with just one.